Coffee and I

It is not an exaggeration to named Seattle as coffee town. While I was in M'sia, I always dream to take a sip of Seattle's coffee. Any coffee will do, as long as it is make in Seattle. I always deny I'm a coffee addict, I'm not physically engaged with caffeine but emotionally. I will only drink it if my mood allows me to.

Extra information... Did you know Bill Gate lives in Seattle? Yes, he does.


Seattle's Best Coffee. We do not have this in M'sia but guess what, it is a chain, like Starbucks and Coffee Bean. Another piece of extra info, Seattle's Best Coffee is own by Starbucks too.

Sorry folks, I did not try Seattle's Best Coffee in Seattle since Portland has a lot of branches too. I was lured by something extraordinary.


A unique coffee shop, The Dilettante Mocha.


Beside selling beverages, they sell chocolate souvenirs too.


Pick your favorite.


Hate chocolate? Try some biscuits.


While ordering the drinks, Chean and I were wondering whether is this shop own by Starbucks too. Isn't it look alike?


He was busy with his iPhone. Always busy with it.


We ordered:
A grande (medium size) Chai latte, US$ 3.35
A tall (small) hot chocolate with Viennese cocoa, US$ 2.60

I don't really into Mocha since it always taste bitter to me but Chean likes it a lot. As for my hot chocolate, the taste was just nice, smooth and flavorful! Superb!!!

Anyway, Starbucks still my all this favorite :)


The first Starbucks store in the world, located at Seattle Pike Place.




It is always crowded and packed with local people and tourists.




I heart Starbucks' cup. Guess which one I get?

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How many of you get it right?

Click the links to know more about my 2007 visit to Pike Place Starbucks.
Sleepless Seattle
Starbuckian

Seattle Most Visited

Public Market, a must-go place for tourists and local people. People who go there not specifically looking for fresh veggie or meat, but extraordinary experience. Ermm, at least I'm not going there for grocery.


I never knew chilies can be sold in that way! How creative! (I looked like shit due to lack of sleep, the hotel wasn't comfy enough.)


"OMG, all kinds of chilies!" He said.


This is definitely more than what we expect in a farmer market, isn't it?

Also, they have some stalls selling other local stuffs like handmade jewelries, flowers, arts, photographs, fabrics and so on.


I was checking on some handmade jewelries.


Sorry, pretty. I have to mosaic your face. Since you were yelling at us not to take any photos of yours, this is the only way I can blog about this.


Don't ask me, I don't know what is this either. Fabric art maybe.


Ohh, this one I know. Flowers :p

Now is the climax. You can skip all the reading before but you can't afford to miss this for sure!!!


Ermm, this picture is plainly random. But we are very close.


Pike Place Chowder, a favorite local place for chowders.


Grab your menu here. It's self-service.


Time to order.


Serving our chowders with sour doughs.

Taa... Daa...




My creamy New England Clam Chowder, US$ 7++


His Seafood Chowder, US$ 7++.


Yummy!!! (sorry again, I really looked like shit that day!)



** Coming Up Next **
Seattle and Coffee; Coffee and I; a three years undecidable relationship.

Seattle Lola Greek Restaurant

After spending several hours watching Japan animation and doing my manicure, I felt guilty for not updating my blog. Hmm... Don't blame me, it's a beautiful Sunday over here. You just don't feel like working. But... Due to your encouraging comments, I reluctantly lift my butt out of the comfy couch and back to work. Remember, it is Sunday here, big sacrifice I have made.

Knowing that blue Monday is your biggest enemy today, I decided to invite you to the Seattle Lola Greek Restaurant for a yummy treat.


This Greek-inspired restaurant located at the ground floor of Hotel Andra.


Busy kitchen.


HUNGRY?


Blogger at work. I wrote notes as record every time I travel or dine. I told you, I'm a serious blogger!!!




The signature Lola spreads freshly griddle pita with skordalia (garlic spread), US$ 3.50. (Taste good! Recommended.)


Smoky Manila Clams with cranberry beans,US$ 14 (Two thumbs up! Highly recommended!)


Kebab with charred onion, lemon and ouzo.
(Left) Lamb, caramelized garlic-red wine glaze, US$ 12
(Right) Squid, homemade special hot sauce, US$ 11
(These two taste ok only, not so impressive except the overcharged price)


Naturally raised pork with metaxa apple, US$ 11
(Medium done, juicy and chewy! Recommended!)




I rated it 3 stars out of 5. That was my second time trying Greek cuisine (first time was in Portland). It was a pleasant experience, I will definitely have courage to try more next time.


Of course, I won't be paying this. My responsibility were eating and rating. Thank you, darling.

Sorry dudes, we are still stuck in Seattle after all. I will push myself harder to work on my Vancouver trip photos. See you soon :D

From Portland to Seattle

I'm sorry!!! I do not mean to update so late. I started my first class for this Autumn yesterday (Yup, it is Autumn now in US). One word, overwhelmed. No choice, I have to put 200% efforts this time.

Apparently I proclaimed I spent my holiday at Vancouver. Why this post got nothing to do with Vancouver then? Be patient. I did visit Vancouver. Since we drive, we take the advantage of spending a night at Seattle too before arriving Vancouver.




A small and tiny room at Executive Hotel in downtown costs about US$ 200++. Well, our fault, we booked at very last minute and all the hotels were fully booked. Just one night, keep your finger cross and pray for a better hotel in Vancouver.




That night was pretty quiet. People in Seattle appreciate caffeine, but why they went to bed so early? It was just 9pm, the night was still young. Perhaps it is weekday.

I know you deserve more! More to come but I really can't promise when. I have 3 classes in this term, pretty heavy for me. Sigh...I wish I could update often like what I did last month. Sorry dudes, blogging is my interest but study still my priority.


Remember this look! You might not able to see me smile until end of this semester! Super stress. But also remember, I enjoy study a lot, always.

Have a great one, buddies :D

Sleepless Seattle

I traveled to Seattle with my hubby and friends. It’s just 3 hours drive from Portland to Seattle. Fours of us start our journey on new year eve and decided to spend a night there. What’s so special about Seattle? Is this the question just across your head? Then, let me intro to you a bit.

Seattle is the largest city in Northwest America. If you like Starbucks, you have to recognize this city! Because Starbucks is from Seattle! You can find the original Starbucks store there. And, the oldest market place in America too (fishes are cheap there, I guess).

Getting excited now? I was too, but only before I reached Seattle.

Another peerless day…took this along the road.

Firstly, we planned to shop around, explore Seattle down town, and dine in at great restaurant. Then, we will countdown at Space Needle, the most popular architecture at Seattle. However, our plans turned to bubbles due to some unexpected incidents (sigh deeply). So, I hope you don’t blame me for the cut and paste pictures below:


I didn't have chance to catch a glimpse of this magnificent building (start sobbing unstoppable).




Fireworks countdown at Space Needle!
I missed the most special moment as well (start knocking my head to the wall).
When was I at that moment? I was eating Thai foods in the hotel!! What to do, I didn't have the choice. Save the best for new year day then.

The first day of 2008 did bring me some luck. It was a public holiday and most of the shops tended to close. But i saw this!!!


Yeah~~ the original Starbucks store located at Pike Street!! It was opened!!


Lining up for my latte


Nicely done~~ Let's go for a walk!


Seattle's sky. I'm not sure what do you think, but for me one of my dreams came true. Sipping Starbucks at Seattle, a taste of originality.



This is how the oldest market in States looks like. However, I was not able to discover any further. All stalls were closed.


The Water Front view. Can you see the Cascade Mountain? It was so amazing...

Ohh! Before I forgot, I got something extraordinary for you!!

Guess what is this?

Our friends brought us to this place! The wall was painted (sticked i suppose) by bubble gums. You can add your piece on it if you like. A little disgusting for me but undeniable it was so special, wasn't it?


He said it was very artistic! hmm...I think I could only say SPECIAL...

To be sincere, you are about to reach the ending of this post. Still want to know more about Seattle? I wanted too but I think not this time (don't cry, i will go there again surely). We went there with wrong timing. It really pissed me off though, I didn't have opportunity to shop at all. Just bought 10 postcards and that's it. So lame...The streets were quiet and not crowded as it supposed. Ermm, actually it was, only crowded with statues.

I saw this at first,


Then followed by this,


And these...(sweat!!)

These are only 5% of all! You can simply find one at down town Seattle. Each of them is unique and has its own characteristic, title.


**The End**


huh??!! That's all??
No shopping bag to check out?

Don't challenge my patient...ARGH!!
no shopping! No Shopping!! NO SHOPPING!!!
This was my Seattle trip about (hung myself already)!!